In this course, you ​will seek out and write your own sense of place and
self-discovery from the seaside of Chiba to the streets of Tokyo and
the shrines of Kamakura. You first study and model key “place” writers
such as Ezra Pound, E.B. White, and Basho.
Then, you will consider and explore readings from a body of writers
with wide-ranging portraits and sensibilities of their own Japan. The
course features guest writers who will discuss their writing process
with you, their sense of writing and craft, and
the reasons why they write. Other guest lecturers may include
journalists, leading film and anime producers, music producers, chefs,
and so on with the ultimate intent of giving students a more in-depth
and unique cultural insight into Japan and its people.
Your cultural immersion serves as an experiential foundation to
integrate in your writing. Additional highlights of the course include a
four-night stay at Sunset Breeze (a seaside retreat in Chiba), survival
Japanese language training, a visit to the largest
Buddha in Japan, a Matsuri performance with taiko drumming and a
barbecue to follow, a trip to Studio Ghibli, and live Sumo action. As a
capstone of the course, students will go on a two-day writer’s retreat
to Kamakura, the spiritual heart and literary oasis
of Japan.

The course also includes a culture program with a four-night stay at a seaside retreat, a visit to the largest Buddha in Japan, a Matsuri performance with taiko drumming and a barbecue to follow, a trip to Studio Ghibli, live Sumo action, and more.

Programs are open to all undergraduate students from all CUNY campuses (unless restricted by level of study, language fluency, or other program criteria). Travel on Fridays and some Saturdays for some programs.